How to Repair Damaged Hair, Naturally!

Let’s face it; if you own hair styling tools or like to dye your hair, chances are your hair might be suffering from some damage! Considering I used to have bleached blonde hair, then jet black hair, and now have a more natural hair color, I am no stranger to hair damage, which is why I wanted to do a blog on exactly how I repaired my hair after some significant self-inflicted damage!

First, yes, there is lots of hope of growing longer, healthier hair; however, the downside is it simply takes a major commitment and time. So, without further rambles, here are my tips for repairing damaged hair without the toxins!

How to Repair Damaged Hair, Naturally-

• Shampoo & Conditioner- Because conventional hair products are full of cheap, oil-stripping ingredients like sulfates, you will want to change to a cleaner, more gentle shampoo as soon as you can. Haircare products make a huge difference in your results as they will no longer strip your hair of the beneficial oils it needs to stay healthy and protected. For a full breakdown of the products I use religiously, click here. I also only wash my hair about 2-3 times a week. On the other days, I do ponytails, buns, or hats!
• Hair Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner- For those that want a little extra boost, my customers have great results using the Under Luna Tulsi Shampoo & Conditioner. Unlocked is a mineral-rich Shampoo that nourishes, comforts & re-instills vital nutrients in the hair and scalp. With regular use, you may notice more rapid growth, shiner locks, and strengthened hair. They are also loving the Rahua Enchanted Shampoo & Conditioner! Many are noticing faster hair growth and super healthy hair! This shampoo is a must for anyone wanting to attack this issue seriously! Featuring plant-based Biotin, Vitamins B6, A, C, and E to promote healthy hair and strengthen hair follicles – helping prevent premature hair loss as well!
• Reduce Styling- No, you don’t have to stop styling your hair forever but if you can reduce the amount you style it, that will help a ton! Working from home means I never style my hair, and I must say, wearing buns and ponytails for the last 3 years of my life has majorly paid off. Every time you subject your hair to heat, pulling, brushing, teasing, straightening, round brushing, blow-drying, etc., you are damaging your hair. The less you can style your hair, the better; adjust anyways you can. I also suggest NOT using tools like the Dyson Air Wrap as it really damaged my hair and caused a ton of breakage on the scalp.
• Hair Cuts & Reduce Hair Colorings- When I was blonde, I was dying my hair every month. As you can imagine, my hair was in horrible condition. I finally came to my senses and realized I looked best with my natural hair color and stopped dying my hair different colors. It took some time, but I dyed my hair back to my natural color and left it alone for almost 6 months, and cut off all of the majorly dead sections. Sometimes, cutting off the damage is the only hope. True hair health can really only happen when new, fresh hair grows, so the less you can damage your hair, the better, obvi! Now, I only dye my hair once a year with minimal color to reduce damage and avoid toxic fumes. I prefer to leave my natural brown color and only add balayage highlights on the ends.
• Heat Protectants- If you can not stop styling your hair for a while, at the very least you will want to make darn sure to protect your hair before you style it. I personally use the Rahua Heat Shield to protect the hair from heat, and also the Jordan Seban balm after brushing and before blowdrying. This duo ensures the strands stay coated and protected if I style.
• Hair Ties- Because I wear a whole lot of ponytails and buns, I try to avoid thick rubber band hair ties as much as I can as they lead to MAJOR breakage. Every time I use one, I end up ripping huge chunks of hair out, which leads to split ends and flyaways, aka- damage. I personally love using velvet scrunchies instead. You can get your own Organic Bunny scrunchis here. I also love the Kitsch Sleep Scrunchis as they are a satin-like material that is perfect for pulling your hair back before bed.

• Hair Masks- To ensure my hair stays hydrated, nourished, and healthy, I love doing hair masks at least once a week. Self-care is so important as the better you look, the better you feel. When your hair and skin is looking healthy and strong, it can only improve your mood 😉 Some of my favorite new hair masks are those by Rahua, they smell amazing and really load my hair up with moisture! I also love the Jordan Seban mask and the Under Luna Mask! Both are super clean and work wonders on my dry ends.
• Ditching Terrycloth Towels- Because terrycloth towels are made with tiny loops of rough fabric, this can lead to breakage and excess frizz. You should always opt for a more soft and gentle towel for drying your hair if you can. My all-time favorite hair towels can be found here. These are a must-have item for curly-haired gals, those with fine hair, or anyone in general that wants to avoid breakage.
• Diet & Vitamins- While I do take vitamins occasionally, I am not that good about being consistent with pill form, so I try to eat certain nutrients instead. Loading up on things like Vitamin A and C packed Spinach, Guavas, Peppers, Citrus, and Strawberries to prevent breakage and Vitamin D to encourage new hair growth are just two essential parts of a healthy hair routine! If you need an easy way to get more greens in each day, this Organic Greens is my fave to add to smoothies.
• Collagen- I did not use collagen for years being Vegan, but after having to add Wild fish to my diet this year, I was more open to trying marine collagen as well. I only carry one collagen, and it is more expensive; however, there is a reason for it- it works! I have researched so many different brands, and the Agent Nateur Holi Mane is hands down the best. Both men and women report that they notice less hair shedding alongside longer, stronger, thicker hair. I take mine every morning in my coffee and think that it has played a role in improving my skin, nails + hair.
• Iron- Those with iron deficiencies can suffer from hair loss, so ensuring you get enough Iron each day is key to having healthy hair! Women between 14 – 50 should aim for around 15-18mg a day. If you are noticing much thinner hair, you can have your doctor test your Iron levels to see if they are low. Some iron-packed faves of mine are- lentils, kidney beans, sesame seeds, quinoa, swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas!⚡
• Protein- Part of growing healthy, new hair is making sure you are getting in enough protein each day. Most people that eat primarily healthy do get plenty of protein each day; however, if you need a Vegan and Organic protein powder as a quick way to get some nutrients in, my current favorite is the Cymbiotika &  Truvani! In just one smoothie, you will get 20g of protein, hopefully supporting new hair growth! Some high-protein plant items you can also strive to eat each day are spinach, kale, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, and peppers.
• Omega 3’s- To not only prevent hair loss and breakage but also to encourage healthy and full hair, you will want to be sure to get your Omega 3’s in each day. Wild Salmon is great for this, but also chia seeds, leafy greens, hemp seeds, berries, beans, flax seeds, and black walnuts are all great sources of omega 3, which assist in nourishing your hair’s follicles and encouraging overall more hair growth and health. If you need a plant-based Omega 3, I love the Truvani or Cymbiotika options.
• Quality Hair Brushes- Many brushes can yank and damage hair when brushing, but not these! These TEK Brushes are not only eco-friendly, Vegan, and non-toxic but super high performance as well, great for scalp stimulation and keeping hair tangle-free! Always start at the very end of your hair, slowly brushing up as the knots detangle. You never want to brush from the top or center down. This rips the hair out.
• Protect- If you are someone in the sun, pool, or ocean often, you want to be sure to protect your hair before exposing it to those elements. The best way is to get your hair wet first and then, apply a hair oil to the ends. This will keep the hair protected and moisturized. My current favorite is the Agent Holi Silk as it adds restorative proteins back into the hair alongside French Silk Peptides!

This was just a quick blog, as many were asking me how to get longer, stronger, and healthier hair so I wanted to just get something up! As I think of more tips and tricks, I will continue to update them here! XO